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28 July 2006

The leader of the South African Observer Mission (SAOM) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George, has expressed confidence that the 30 July 2006 Presidential and Parliamentary elections will take place as scheduled.

As election campaigning comes to a close, the mood in the DRC has been that of enthusiasm and anticipation in spite of sporadic disruptive incidents that have been reported in some parts of the country. The DRC Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) continued this week to intensify its voter education activities in order to get the citizens ready for polling day. They have also confirmed that all voting material, including ballot papers, have been received and ready for use.

Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George has on Friday, 28 July 2006, the final day of campaigning by all political parties paid special tribute to all South Africans who have collectively and individually volunteered their time and expertise in helping the Congolese people hold their first democratic elections in over forty years.

Deputy Minister Mluleki George is currently leading the SAOM to the DRC. The SAOM is stationed in the DRC until 4 August 2006 to observe all phases of the elections, including election campaigns, the voting process and the counting of votes. They are deployed in all the 11 provinces in the DRC.

Enquiries:
Vincent Hlongwane
Cell: 082 385 1169

Sam Mkhwanazi
Cell: 083 628 0858

Lindo Nkomonde
Cell: 082 875 9631

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the South African Observer Mission
28 July 2006
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http//:www.dfa.gov.za)